Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a herbaceous plant with pink flowers native to North America and Europe.
It is also known by the name of European Valerian, its root/rhizome being the part collected for commercial preparations.
It has been used since the times of ancient Greece; and in the 2nd century BC Galen already recommended it for insomnia.
However, in the last 20 years, interest in this plant has resurfaced dramatically, which has generated the appearance of more than 200 scientific articles about its chemistry and its applications.
Its rhizome contains a number of important compounds valepotriates, valeric acid, and volatile oils that one or all of them are responsible for the herb's sedative powers. Many herbalists believe that valerian's effectiveness may be the result of synergy between the various compounds.
